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9 Things We Learned About Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds From Their New HBO Documentary
Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynold's mother-daughter relationship has been a topic of speculation for decades. In 1987, for example, Fisher wrote Postcards From the Edge, a novel based on their relationship —which was later turned into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine — that portrayed their bond as close but strained. Now, after dying just a day apart, the mother and daughter will be celebrated with a joint memorial at Reynold's house.
In Bright Lights, a new documentary airing January 7 at 8 p.m. on HBO, it appears Fisher and Reynolds were closer than ever in their final days. In the touching footage, Fisher helps her mother prepare for her final stage show. They also reflect on their lives in the spotlight, including Reynolds's marriage to Fisher's dad, Eddie Fisher, who left Reynolds for Elizabeth Taylor, and Fisher's manic depression and drug addiction.
Here are nine things we learned about the two icons from the documentary:
1. Fisher and Reynolds lived next door to each other on a property they called "The Compound."
In Postcards From the Edge, the characters based on the women decided living together was terrible for their relationship. The real Fisher and Reynolds, however, lived just feet away from each other. In a scene in Bright Lights, Fisher walks a soufflé over to her mom, explaining: "Mother and I live next door to each other, separated by one daunting hill. I usually come to her. I always come to her."
Debbie Reynolds with children Carrie and Todd Fisher
2. Aging was a challenge for Reynolds.
Although Reynolds had announced her retirement, she signed up to perform a Las Vegas stage show in the last months of her life. Fisher says of her '50s and '60s film star mother, "Age is horrible for all of us, but she falls from a greater height."
Fisher and Reynolds in January 2016.
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‘Bright Lights’ Director on Capturing ‘Intoxicating’ Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds on Film
Five directors recount the lives of five Hollywood masters who enlisted during World War II to document the war.
Although this documentary series was based on a brilliant book by Mark Harris, I had to find a way to tell the story cinematically. My goal all along was to somehow link the story of our five guys (William Wyler, George Stevens, John Ford, John Huston and Frank Capra), and of World War II, to our times. The best way was of course to have five contemporary filmmakers talk for and about them. But that meant finding filmmakers who had charisma, knowledge and could discuss not only the historical facts but also identify with the times and situations. With Steven Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro, Lawrence Kasdan, Paul Greengrass and Francis Ford Coppola, we lucked out and met our ambition. They not only delivered on facts needed to tell the story but went beyond and brought in personal experience and perspectives. Another balancing act was how much narration was needed. Once Meryl Streep came on board, of course, the aspect of the narration reached a whole new level. It became another character, a sixth voice.
— Laurent Bouzereau, director/producer
Watch the First Trailer for Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynold's HBO Documentary
The first look at Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds' HBO documentary, Bright Lights, has been released. The trailer offers a glimpse of the late mother-daughter duo's intricate relationship, acting careers and everyday lives. "This documentary is a portrait of Hollywood royalty in all its eccentricity," a summary reads.
From hints in the preview, the doc was filmed while Fisher was working on The Force Awakens (or, as she calls it in the clip, "Star Wars 72") and her mother, 83 at the time, was amidst performances in Las Vegas.
The trailer highlights some adorable moments between the two late stars, like Fisher teasing her mom for having an outdated cellphone, Reynolds telling her daughter to "just do what your mother says, it makes life easier" and the pair sifting through their wardrobe together. "I share everything with my daughter—especially the check," Reynolds quips.
But the doc also delves deeper into more personal issues, like struggling with aging and mental illness. "My mother, she'll forget she's not 35. Age is horrible for all of us, but she falls from a greater height," Fisher says.
"Manic depression is a disease. That was not diagnosed then," Reynolds explains of how her daughter struggled with mental health at a young age. "So nobody kind of knew what was going on with Carrie."
Fisher passed away on December 27 at the age of 60, and Reynolds followed at the age of 84 on December 28. Hours before her death, Reynolds reportedly said, "I want to be with Carrie." Both late actresses will be buried together in a private ceremony this Friday, January 6.
Bright Lights: Starring Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher premieres on January 7 at 8 p.m. on HBO. Watch the trailer here.
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